Hurricane Homecoming
- Posted by Beth on September 1st, 2005 filed in General, Hurricane, Katrina, Support this
I’m back! :mrgreen:
Obviously, since I’m posting I’ve got power at the house, too! YAY!
OK, here’s the deal. We left Sunday and stayed in Birmingham, but since the power’s been out here we stayed longer than I had originally planned. We only came back today to check on the cats and refill the food and water, and we were going to move to Fort Walton Beach for however long it took for the electricity to come back on here (since it’s a lot closer than B’ham). Much to our delight, when we got home, the power was on–apparently restored while we were on the way home. I guess all that waving at the countless electric company and National Guard trucks on the road paid off. :wink: (I swear it’s just good karma.) And yes, we were blessed again with no major damage to anything–just a few lost shingles and a shutter came off…easy stuff. It’s almost embarrassing that I was taking up hotel space simply because I can’t stand not having air conditioning, when there are so many who have lost EVERYTHING. Basically, I hid from the other people in the hotel because I saw a LOT of Louisiana and Mississippi plates in the parking lot and felt guilty as hell. Survivors’ guilt, if you will.
Special thanks to Eric (a.k.a. Mad Dog Vinnie / a.k.a. Not Beth) for keeping things rockin’ around here, and to Tammy and Jody for posting updates! Thanks to everyone who was so sweet and offered help, like Lance, who also called to see if I needed anything (next time, I’m going to Atlanta and we’ll make a party out of it). And most of all, thanks to Eric and Merri for giving me a sanity break on the phone for the last couple of nights. I needed to talk to someone who shares my tendency to throw things at the TV. :wink: Eric’s got a great suggestion for hurricane relief, too.
That said, you just knew I’d have something else to say about the Katrina aftermath, didn’t you?
I’m donating to the American Red Cross and PLEAD with you all to do so as well. I have deep ties to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and a lot of friends and family have lost if not everything, then most of everything. The house that my mother grew up in and that I spent my childhood summers in is almost certainly gone–I don’t have confirmation of it, but knowing as I do that other houses along the beach in Pascagoula are obliterated, I’m pretty sure that house probably is too. I’ve got some of my oldest friends and those of my family there, and God, I pray that they are safe.
There are other charities to whom you can send money, of course; NZ Bear has a great list of charities that other bloggers are supporting here. I’m going with the American Red Cross because they are, as always, the first ones on-scene and the ones who have the widest reach. If you don’t want to send an online contribution, please see what you can do locally! And of course, if you’re anywhere from Florida and Georgia to Texas, you know there are people who have evacuated near you somewhere. Check and see if there’s some kind of church or school-sponsored function that helps the evacuees. For example, my sister told me that in Clarksdale, Mississippi, her in-laws’ church members all brought in a ton of food and clothes for the people that had gone there from the coast (supposedly almost a thousand in that small town alone).
Now I’ll warn you. I have more to say that’s not so nice. Some of those farkers in New Orleans have put a damper on my feelings of charity. If it weren’t for the fact that the VAST majority of people did evacuate and the fact that I have blood in Mississippi, I might be a tightwad about this whole thing because of the absolute mayhem and BULLCRAP those looter animals are doing during a crisis. I’ve never been so disgusted in my life. And NO, obviously I’m not talking about those people who are taking food and water/drinks, I’m talking about the assholes with the Nikes and TVs and racks of clothes and toys from everywhere…not to mention the looted pawn shops, liquor stores, etc. etc. etc. Those vile scum are an embarrassment to AMERICA, not just New Orleans; the whole world sees this stuff happening. How many people do you think might see that insanity and say “I’m not helping them”?
I’m also mad as hell about the people who DID NOT evacuate, and instead of being thankful that they’re alive, they’re bitching about not being taken care of fast enough. Guess what: most of them didn’t have to be in that situation. Furthermore, there’s still a rescue effort ongoing for those people–some of those who have already been rescued or escaped death are just going to have to accept responsibility and deal with the consequences–which means wait until everyone is safe that can be saved. I know people are busting their asses to save every life they can; no one is slacking off. And then you have people attacking and shooting at helicopters and vehicles that are supposed to help them evacuate now? What. The. F–k. I know they’re desperate to leave, but I’ll say again, what the fark?! I know I’ll be vilified for saying so, but I have little sympathy for the people that refused to evacuate, knowing that a Category 4/5 hurricane was headed straight for them. “Oh, we made it through Betsy/Camille so we thought we’d be OK.” Stock up the cooler with beers and “ride it out.” Stupid farkers. That’s just stupid, stupid, stupid. I know there are some who couldn’t for one reason or another, but even so, I distinctly remember hearing on TV that people were being taken out of New Orleans and elsewhere via bus or train if they had no transportation. And they DID have the Superdome, which was probably the worst possible way of evacuating, but it’s better than sitting on a roof with no food or water, waiting for a Coast Guard chopper–or dying. Worst of all, those people with CHILDREN that didn’t evacuate. They ought to be locked up in jail for child endangerment. Period. I know it can be expensive to evacuate, but it doesn’t HAVE to be that way. There were places who offered shelter in Baton Rouge, Jackson, and elsewhere. And I have the most scorn for those who had no excuse (i.e. illness, disability, no money)–rescuers had to risk their lives to take care of those fools when the sick and infirm should honestly have been the first ones helped. I thought I was going to puke when on Monday night, I saw on Fox News that there were people partying on Bourbon Street, dancing around Shepard Smith. Meanwhile, there are STILL people in hospitals in New Orleans, with generators draining diesel for their last gasps of life.
Here’s a minor thing that sucked–last night, when the first buses arrived in Houston from the Superdome, I was watching CNN because they carried it live. I can’t remember the name of the stupid bitch on CNN, but she acted all shocked and appalled that the first couple of buses were “renegade” buses, not on the official list from the Superdome. Stupid bitch. First of all, I don’t blame them at all for taking a bus with children and sick or weaker people and getting the hell out of there to go to a place they know is supposed to be set up for evacuees. It’s not the same thing as stealing TVs from the damn Walmart, in this case. Of course, she seemed to change her tune a bit later and went a little overboard excusing the “renegades” (what a farked up euphemism, anyway). Stupid CNN. These are the same nitwits excusing the TV thiefs, mind you.
Favorite TV moment: the N.O. cop that caught the looter red-handed, and the punk didn’t even bother dropping his bag until the cop pointed his rifle at his face. I could watch that on repeat a hundred times and still want to high-five that cop.
Most outrageous TV moment: the two fatass N.O. female cops looting the Walmart, loading up a shopping cart with crap until an MSNBC reporter asked them what they were doing–to which one of the bitches responded, “oh, we’re lookin’ for looters,” and wandered away from her cartful of loot.
Most outrageous TV coverage: All of them. I am sick to DEATH of hearing about the looters and other assorted criminals. They’re a tiny minority of the people affected by the storm, and as I implied above, it’s only going to hurt the fundraising efforts. Focus on the people who aren’t farking everything up. Let the authorities focus on the criminals.
Most aggravating TV anchor: Other than that silly blonde on CNN last night, Shepard Smith. Sorry, I’ll just turn down the volume when he’s on. I think I wore out my quota of “shut the fark up, Shep” over the last couple of days.
Most mystifying aspect of the post-hurricane period: The fact that “no one knows what’s going on” (thanks, Shep, for whining about that incessantly). Here’s what has me confused: I know there’s no communication ability, so why not drop leaflets as is done in the military? Print the shi’ite on something that won’t instantly disintegrate in the “water” (yeccch), tell people they HAVE TO LEAVE, and tell them when and where they need to be. Is there a reason that I’m not seeing that they haven’t done this???
Favorite person: Governor Haley Barbour. Screw you, Robert Kennedy. (You too, Ditch Bitch.) Haley Barbour’s got his hands full with a hell of a mess in Mississippi, but I know if anyone will bring back the Gulf Coast from the dead, he’ll do it.
Biggest non-looting assholes: The jackasses who politicize the hurricane. That’s the most shameless, hateful thing I’ve seen yet. Get a clue. I saw James Carville–hardly a Bush fan–talking about the hurricane on CNN, and he had nothing political to say about it.
OK, I’ve been yelling at the TV for the last few days and needed to get that out of my system here.
[/rant]
Now look at how aggravated I am by all the stupidity getting all the attention. Despite all that, I’m going to go right now and donate to the American Red Cross. I’m asking you again, if you haven’t yet, please do. I know there are millions of others making the same request of you, but really, it’s important. Everyone knows Mississippi and Louisiana aren’t rich states, and the very things that help those states are gone. There are countless people who are now homeless and unemployed due to no fault of their own, and really, it could happen to ANYONE. Even if you’re not ever going to experience a hurricane, natural disasters happen everywhere and it could be you seeking shelter and food someday. Please help.
Via Jody, check out the Hurricane Relief Aggregator at The Truth Laid Bear! (Hmmm….do they blend puppies in New Orleans?)
Eric (aka M D Vinnie) says:
You didn’t need that air conditioning, but your daughter did. Do not feel guilty one whit.
Not only that, but you didn’t know your house would be spared, so feeling guilty after finding out it was is useless.
You did the right thing, period. And now that you’re home, there are two hotel rooms opened up, rather than one, for those who need them.
MacStansbury says:
most of the phone lines are out, but some cell phones work around Jackson and the bigger cities. down south like in Brookhaven they got phones but no long distance. most of the stuff is spotty at best. in the places that don’t have power, they can’t pump gas.
I still can’t reach Hattiesburg.
Tammy says:
I am soooo relieved that you’re home and all is well.
And what a totally excellent post. I couldn’t hope to have said it better.
Housewife says:
Glad to see you back and in good form.
Sydney says:
i am glad we are ok since we are way down down here and i know i am reading this! blog but i hear these words sometimes but i still love my mama so take that and nobody will stop me! so take that again cause she is the BEST IN THE WORLD TO INFINTY AND BEYOND.
p.s. i love you mama
sydney:mrgreen::lol::!:
Lance says:
Im glad you got back and everything was A-OK. Your back in your usual form.
Stacy says:
I shot you a couple e-mails; my aunt in Pascagoula lost everything. They USE to live on Ken St. next to Chico Rd. They went back yesterday to look and there’s not one thing there. Many other family members of mine had quite a bit of damage to their homes. I’m so happy for you and Sydney though, two less people for me to worry about. Oh, and you’re dead on with this post, glad you’re back.:lol:
Merri Musings says:
Hurricane Katrina Donations Links
I look all over the web and there are amazing resources for how you can donate money to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to be sure I pointed my readers to these resources. Please stop by Beth’s site
cranky says:
Glad you and your daughter are safe. Best to get out when you can — not attempt it after it becomes really dangerous.
Was that you drowning me out when I was yelling at Shepard Smith? What an idiot he was griping about people not knowing what to do. If he knows he should tell them. O’Reilly thinks Shepard should win the biggest journalism award - that might be a new low in MSM standards were it to occur.
Superb rant.
Anonymous Coward says:
Its good to hear that you are safe back home and getting back to normal life. But I dont really like your tone on hitting at people. Lets get the fact right,
1. People who stayed back in N.O. are either really poor / old / or insane who doesnt want leave their place in worst of condition
2. People who are looting, they dont even have any common sense, illiterate, uneducated and have never been taught ethics and culture. Not everybody uses seldom in worst of conditions, have you ever heard of this one, “Common sense is Uncommon in common people”.
3. If everybody right from FEMA to the president knows that N.O. is low lying and can be wiped out with a Category 3 hurricane, what did they do, NOTHING.
4. I like your idea of dropping leaflets and asking them to go to a particular place for them to picked up.
5. I saw one reporter talking about how the situation looks like something happened in a third world country. I guess he was not able to comprehend that something like this can happen in America. Well wake up guys, Louisiana, Missisipi, Alabama, these are one of the most poor states in United States, none of the political party is going to care about them and believe now that there is a third world in your own backyard which most of the people seem to ignore.
Steal The Bandwagon says:
Hurricane Blogging…Cotillion Style
Despite the rumors… Katrina is not a member of Cotillion. She was just a little too mean (that has to be awfully mean) and destructive for our tastes (really, disaster areas are so passe). The Cotillion bloggers have joined the…
Cotillion says:
Hurricane blogging…cotillion style
Despite the rumors… Katrina is not a member of Cotillion. She was just a little too mean (that has to be awfully mean) and destructive for our tastes (really, disaster areas are so passe). The Cotillion bloggers have joined the…
Cafe Oregano says:
Friday Specials
The Rambling Commoner gives an economics lesson about gas prices. Southern Knight asks and answers Was God in the hurricane? The short answer is No, but He can be in the recovery. Michele is flirting and getting nowhere. nabbalicious is…
basil's blog says:
Breakfast: 9/2/2005
Try one of these specials with your breakfast: Beth is back! Confederate Yankee makes some recommendations for The Battle Of New Orleans II. Nickie Goomba finds that Sweden is on somebody’s list. Stop the ACLU! is ready for school. Iowahawk
William Teach says:
Good to see you back, Beth.
I’ve been through a bunch of hurricanes, though nothing like Katrina. It is a very difficult and trying time, and the Left and the Media are not helping. I cannot even take watching, listening, or reading some of the hysterical news reports anymore. My question is, why aren’t they helping? Guess some of them do not want to get their manicured hands dirty.
Be safe, Beth, and God Bless.
Janette says:
Glad you’re back and that you and the Princess are okay!
You hit the nail on the head with this one.
Common Sense Runs Wild says:
Returning Home After Hurricane Katrina
Beth from My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy made it home to Mobile to find little damage to her house and the electricity restored. She’s up to speed on the situation New Orleans and offers her take on looters and the…
Two Dogs says:
Friends from Pascagoula have called and let me know that all is not good. The surge was bad there and much is lost.
Thanks for the good comments on Haley, yes, he has his shi’ite in one sock.
Anonymous Coward, you’re a dumbass AND illiterate. Shut the fuck up.
Beth says:
TwoDogs: I’ve been hearing bad stuff about Goula too; an old friend of the family died. He was a doctor and apparently stayed to help in the aftermath, but didn’t make it.
Anonymous Coward:
You don’t like my “tone”? TOUGH CRAP.
1. You’re wrong, it’s NOT ONLY the poor/old/insane. You are just farkin’ clueless. I think I addressed that in the post, though.
2. I don’t even understand your point in #2.
3. I notice you have no criticism of the mayor of NO or the Governor or state legislature, or the US Senators from LA. It’s not the President’s farking JOB to do their jobs, nor is it FEMA’s. Moron.
4. Oh thank God.
5. Bullshi’ite. Mississippi (and Alabama to a lesser extent) is absolutely devastated throughout the state, of course the worst on the coast. You don’t see that kind of bullshi’ite happening there, do you? It’s the state and local leadership that makes the difference, stupid. And fuck you even more for implying that MY HOME (Mobile, Pascagoula) is somehow comparable to a third-world country. FAR from it. Although I note your IP comes from Houston–much closer to third-world conditions than Mobile, Alabama.
But I know, anything to make it the fault of the Big Bad Bush, huh? You have no farking idea what you’re talking about.
Anonymous Coward, indeed.
Two Dogs says:
In my area the only looters are stealing cigs and beer. Gotta keep those priorities straight. Also there is a report from Hattiesburg that a man shot his sister over a bag of ice.
I just have two friends left to find. But, one’s from Waveland.
sadie says:
We knew you’d beat that bitch Katrina down! :mrgreen:
This might be a bad time to ask -
Why do they call Reynolds the ‘Puppy Blender’ anyway?
Tammy says:
Hey Beth,
Have you been watching Fox tonight? Shephard Smith looks like he hasn’t slept in a week! Of course, I’ve always adored him, lol, which makes it harder for me to get mad at him….but I think he’s really just getting frustrated at what has turned into a hell of a mess. I completely agree with you on the looting idiots…just shoot them, as far as I’m concerned. But the old people and little babies that are sitting on an interstate….it just breaks my heart.
Geraldo is like crying. It’s just freaky.
Jeff H says:
GOOD NEWS!!! Glad you made it back with no major problems or damage. Praise the Lord and pass the shoe box.
Karen Schmeets says:
You nailed it right on the head, except you left out the governor of Louisiana and the articulate mayor of New Orleans. The governor has the power to send the National Guard in. SHE DID NOT until way after the fact. The New Orleans mayor can’t even say his sorry name,
telling people the day before to get out, but not using city transit(at his disposal) to get some of these people out. In other words NO EVACUATION PLAN!
The blame game can go on and on, bottom line is that a hurricane is apolitical it is mother F’N nature! you all saw it coming and sat on your fat asses deciding you didn’t need to leave. And as far as the Superdome is concerned, did you think you were going to a hurricane party?? It was opened as a “LAST RESORT” meaning you dumb assholes stayed too long and needed a stronger roof! So let’s blame it on the Prsident I’m sure he was doing a hurricane dance in the Oval Office in hopes that he could could wipe out New Orleans.
ONe last thing as long as I am ranting (and my rants usually get raves!) Mississippi was hit harder than louisiana. Those folks lost everything too. You hear more about New Orleans because the news media in their usual fashion put their reporters and photogs in the city prior to the storm so they could report during and after.
So of course it will be more tragic there because that’s where the majority of the reporting is coming from.
Get a grip here people! get off your butts and do something to help yourselves and the rest of us Myself included will send $$$$$ and supplies (already have once and will again next payday) Keep it flowing suck it up and drive on, because it’s the only way you will get through this. MOVING FORWARD!
Girl on the Right says:
Ordinary Heroes; Extraordinary Women
It’s been one of those weeks where we of the Cotillion have all banded together for one reason or another. We’ve each had our little tragedies this past week, but nothing compares to the tragedy that has unfolded in Dixie. So, in solidarity, we are a…
Cotillion says:
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The Larsonian says:
Beth is Back
Beth is back home in Alabama and the power is on…
The rest of her story is here. Welcome back, Beth.